Loading please wait

The smart way to improve grades

Comprehensive & curriculum aligned

Try an activity or get started for free

Overview of Context in 'A Christmas Carol'

In this worksheet, students will learn about Charles Dickens' upbringing and Victorian England, which will help the understanding behind his writing of 'A Christmas Carol'.

'Overview of Context in 'A Christmas Carol'' worksheet

Key stage:  KS 4

Year:  GCSE

GCSE Subjects:   English Literature

GCSE Boards:   Eduqas, OCR, Pearson Edexcel, AQA,

Curriculum topic:   19th Century Prose, 19th Century Novel, The 19th Century Novel

Curriculum subtopic:   A Christmas Carol

Difficulty level:  

Worksheet Overview

     In this activity, you'll learn about the context in which Charles Dickens wrote 'A Christmas Carol'.  We'll be looking at both Dickens' childhood and Victorian England. 

 

What do you know about this already?

 

 

Charles Dickens

 

Dickens was born on 7th February, 1812, the second of eight children born to John and Elizabeth Dickens.  He spent the first nine years of his life living in Kent, a county in the South-East of England.  Despite being a kind and loving man, John Dickens was financially irresponsible and with a large family to provide for, found it very easy to rack up large debts. 

 

As a result of this, the family moved to Camden Town in London, in 1822.  John Dickens continued to live beyond his and his family’s means and in 1824, he was finally arrested and sent to debtor’s prison.  Shortly afterwards, and probably as a result of being unable to provide for herself and her eight children, Elizabeth Dickens moved the rest of the family into prison with John. 

 

Charles, however, did not join the rest of the family and was sent to live with a family friend, where, at 12 years old, he was sent out to work.  He joined other child workers at a blacking factory (where shoe polish was made), sticking labels onto bottles for 10 hours a day. This job made a lasting impression on Dickens; the conditions and pay were poor and the employers cruel. 

 

When John Dickens’ grandmother died and left him a lot of money, John was able to pay off his debts and was released from prison.  Charles did not leave the factory straight away and this only made him more sympathetic to the poor working and living conditions that the working classes had to put up with.

 

Now, have a go at the next few questions about Dickens' early life and how this influenced his writing. 

 

You should always refer to your own text when working through these examples.  These quotations are for reference only.

What is EdPlace?

We're your National Curriculum aligned online education content provider helping each child succeed in English, maths and science from year 1 to GCSE. With an EdPlace account you’ll be able to track and measure progress, helping each child achieve their best. We build confidence and attainment by personalising each child’s learning at a level that suits them.

Get started
laptop

Try an activity or get started for free

  • National Tutoring Awards 2023 Shortlisted / Parents
    National Tutoring Awards 2023 Shortlisted
  • Private-Tutoring-WINNER-EducationInvestor-Awards / Parents
    Winner - Private Tutoring
  • Bett Awards Finalist / Parents
    Finalist
  • Winner - Best for Home Learning / Parents
    Winner - Best for Home Learning / Parents